Çatal Höyük had no streets or foot paths; the houses were built right up against each other and the people who lived in them traveled over the town’s rooftops and entered their homes through holes in the roofs, climbing down a ladder.
Full Answer
Why is Catal Huyuk so important to archaeologists?
Catal Huyuk is one of the most important windows that archaeologists have into the transition from hunter-gatherer groups to settled societies, and it has only been in the last few years that they have been allowed to continue their excavations of the site.
How was Çatalhöyük excavated?
Çatalhöyük was excavated in the 1960s in a methodical way, but not using the full range of natural science techniques that are available to us today. Sir James Mellaart who excavated the site in the 1960s came up with all sorts of ideas about the way the site was organized and how it was lived in and so on ...
What is the significance of Çatalhöyük?
In July 2012, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Çatalhöyük is located overlooking the Konya Plain, southeast of the present-day city of Konya (ancient Iconium) in Turkey, approximately 140 km (87 mi) from the twin-coned volcano of Mount Hasan.
What is the significance of the western mound of Çatalhöyük?
The western mound shows the evolution of cultural practices in the Chalcolithic period, from 6200 bc to 5200 bc. Çatalhöyük provides important evidence of the transition from settled villages to urban agglomeration, which was maintained in the same location for over 2,000 years.
What is unusual about Çatalhöyük?
Çatalhöyük provides important evidence of the transition from settled villages to urban agglomeration, which was maintained in the same location for over 2,000 years. It features a unique streetless settlement of houses clustered back to back with roof access into the buildings.
What is special about the settlement Çatalhöyük in Turkey?
Çatalhöyük has strong evidence of an egalitarian society, as no houses with distinctive features (belonging to royalty or religious hierarchy, for example) have been found so far.
What makes Çatalhöyük architecture unique?
Çatalhöyük had no streets or foot paths; the houses were built right up against each other and the people who lived in them traveled over the town's rooftops and entered their homes through holes in the roofs, climbing down a ladder.
Why did people settle in Çatalhöyük?
A River's Alluvial Fan Made Çatalhöyük. a Good Place to Live You would have had water for drinking, for washing. Animals would have been drawn to the river-ideal for hunting. People could have traveled south to the mountains in boats to gather timber for houses, and other resources.
What is the most distinctive feature of Catal huyuk?
Perhaps what is most unique for modern observers of the city is that there are no streets. Indeed, it looks like Catal Huyuk is one gigantic building comprised of several smaller cells, almost like an anthill or honeycomb.
What was life like in a settled community such as Catal huyuk?
Surprisingly for such a sizeable settlement, food, tools and other resources were shared equally and used by all. Ritual activities at Çatalhöyük revolved around hunting, death and animals. Wild bulls were needed for feasts, and there were probably taboos or special meanings for leopards and bears.
What type of architecture is Çatalhöyük?
Çatalhöyük is a Neolithic mound or höyük located on the Konya Plain in central Turkey. The Çatalhöyük settlement was composed of unbaked mud-brick (up to and over 1 m in length) houses densely packed together.
What is Çatalhöyük made of?
In Catal Huyuk, the houses were made of mud brick. Houses were built touching against each other. They did not have doors and houses were entered through hatches in roofs. Presumably having entrances in the roofs was safer than having them in the walls.
How was the village of Çatalhöyük built up over time?
The walls were constructed of mud bricks. Evidence suggests that the wet clay mixture was either placed directly on the wall between wooden boards or constructed using mortar and sun-dried bricks.
Why is Çatalhöyük called the world's first city?
Well, at the moment, Çatalhöyük is the first known city in the world – the first place where surrounding villages came together and formed a central location and began the sort of urban civilization that dominates the modern world.
When was Catal Huyuk settled?
October 29, 1923Çatalhöyük / Date settled
How old is the first settlement at Çatalhöyük?
about 9,500 years agoBy the time Catalhoyuk was first settled—about 9,500 years ago, according to a recent round of radiocarbon dating at the site—the Neolithic epoch was well under way. The residents of this huge village cultivated wheat and barley, as well as lentils, peas, bitter vetch and other legumes. They herded sheep and goats.
What types of art were found at Çatalhöyük?
One of the most abundant forms of art found at the site was clay figurines. They were found throughout various areas of the houses, but usually in garbage pits. The Çatalhöyük people may have used the sculptures to protect against evil spirits or as wish tokens.
How old is the first settlement at Çatalhöyük?
about 9,500 years agoBy the time Catalhoyuk was first settled—about 9,500 years ago, according to a recent round of radiocarbon dating at the site—the Neolithic epoch was well under way. The residents of this huge village cultivated wheat and barley, as well as lentils, peas, bitter vetch and other legumes. They herded sheep and goats.
What is Çatalhöyük known for?
Catal Huyuk is known for being one of the first permanent human settlements. It provides insight into how people lived many thousands of years ago.
Where is Çatalhöyük found on a map?
Catal Huyuk is located in modern day Turkey. The nearest city is Konya, to the northwest of the site. There are also some small towns nearby.
Is Catal Huyuk the oldest city in the world?
Catal Huyuk is not the oldest city in the world, but it is close. It is likely that the Palestinian city of Jericho is older by nearly two thousand...
What did archaeologists learn about the catal Huyuk?
As evidenced by paintings, it's clear that hunting was of the utmost importance, but also a number of artifacts have been uncovered that allude to the importance of fertility goddesses.
What are the walls of Catal Huyuk?
The exterior walls of the settlement were reinforced with wooden supports in addition to the mud brick of the standard walls, as were the ceilings of each dwelling. The roofs of the town acted as streets. Inside the homes, one is immediately shocked to find artwork detailing the daily lives, as well as the ceremonial lives, of the citizens of Catal Huyuk. Some of the more famous wall paintings include hunting scenes, as well as landscapes from the surrounding countryside. Additionally, in sharp contrasts to other sites, the dwellings are remarkably clear of debris.
What is the most important window archaeologists have into the transition from hunter-gatherer groups to settled?
Lesson Summary. Let's review. Catal Huyuk is one of the most important windows that archaeologists have into the transition from hunter-gatherer groups to settled societies, and it has only been in the last few years that they have been allowed to continue their excavations of the site.
What is the structure of Catal Huyuk?
Indeed, it looks like Catal Huyuk is one gigantic building comprised of several smaller cells, almost like an anthill or honeycomb.
Where is Catal Huyuk?
Catal Huyuk (pronounced cha-tel hoo-yek, or Çatalhöyük in Turkish) is an archaeological site in what is now south-central Turkey. Along with Jericho, it's considered one of the oldest cities in the world, dating from almost 7500 BC. The site, which means 'fork mound' in Turkish, sits astride what was once a river valley. Inhabited for almost 2000 years by thousands of people, the site demonstrates how humanity changed during the transition from the Neolithic period (the New Stone Age) to the Chalcolithic period (the Copper age), as well as from hunting and gathering towards herding and farming, all the while providing insights for how the earliest citizens provided for the town's defense and religion.
Did Catal Huyuk have cleanliness?
That cleanliness does not indicate that citizens of Catal Huyuk had little to do, however. As the town made the transition from a hunter-gatherer site to a true city, various implements were needed in order to complete the tasks associated with both farming and herding.
Did Catal Huyuk have a balanced diet?
Combined with the pits full of bones from sheep, it is apparent that the citizens of Catal Huyuk had a balanced diet. This is further collaborated by the importance of hunting in paintings, especially for ceremonial purposes. Restored interior of a house at Catal Huyuk.
What was the most abundant form of art found at the site of the ruins of the ruins?
One of the most abundant forms of art found at the site was clay figurines. They were found throughout various areas of the houses, but usually in garbage pits.
What did the art, organization of houses, and presence of agriculture suggest?
The art, organization of houses, and presence of agriculture suggests that the residents of the Çatalhöyük site were in a position in which they could stay in one spot and hold territory. They had stable enough resources to devote time to the arts, but used paintings and installations to connect them to the memories of the past way of life. Çatalhöyük was one of the largest settlements of its time, and by examining the ancient structures and artifacts we can gain insight into how humans lived during the beginning stages of farming and crop cultivation.
How many people lived in the mud brick houses in the mud bricks?
It was not a large enough settlement to be considered a chiefdom or state, but still had up to 9,000 residents. Inside the mud brick houses, there were cooking spaces with ovens and hearths. As agriculture was beginning to become the dominant way of life, food preparation was developing.
Where did the Neolithic people live?
Around 7,400 BCE, people first settled in Central Turkey at the site of Çatalhöyük. By 6,500 BCE, the site was a Neolithic urban center. Several construction phases of tightly packed mud brick houses led to the formation of a tall mound at the site. The excavation of the mound and the examination of discovered features and artifacts led to the understanding of what life was like in the Neolithic community and how it developed over time. The site provides great insight into how early farming communities functioned and what activities and items they valued.
Why were wooden posts used in the central room?
Thick wooden posts were erected in the central room and may have been used to strengthen the structure, as well as create internal divisions of space. People took great care of their houses and meticulous planning was an important part of the building process.
Who illustrated the reconstruction of a typical house?
A reconstruction showing the use of space and the layout of a typical house. Illustration by Kathryn Killackey.